Power Encounter

Scripture:
 Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Introduction:
 The word “power” in this verse is from the Greek word dunamis specifically referring to miraculous power and usually implies a miracle itself. It means to have ability, abundance, meaning or might. Throughout scripture, supernatural power or ability is associated with the Holy Spirit. Here Jesus states that those receiving the Holy Spirit would be so empowered that they would be witnesses for Him in every place they find themselves in.

I. This power encounter begins with and is resident within a relationship with Jesus Christ.
John 1:11-12 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
A. This power encounter is available to anyone who is willing to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
B. It becomes vitally important for the child of God to place his confidence in Jesus Christ because He is the very source of this power.
Luke 24:46-49 “46Then He said to them, “Thus it is written,  and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And you are witnesses of these things. 49Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
C. Jesus did not send His disciples out to minister until He had given His power to them.
1. The twelve.
Matthew 10:1 “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.”
2. The seventy.
Luke 10:19-20 “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but £rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
D. Jesus Christ can give this power to His people because it is His to give.
Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go £therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

II. This power encounter brings promises that we can be partakers of the divine nature of God.
II Peter 1:2-4 “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature,”
A. It would be an awful thing to be able to work miracles but never have the power of God to change our character and nature.
B. The power of God is present to help us grow the fruit of the Spirit as well as to perform miracles. (Galatians 5:22-23)
C. We don’t want to lose credibility because our lives do not line up with the one we represent.
D. This divine nature covers all the ability, character, attitude and life that Jesus possessed.

III. The power encounter is given that we might fulfill our mission to extend the Kingdom of God.
A. It’s not primarily for our benefit but for the benefit of the Kingdom of God.
B. Our very prayer life is to be saturated with the call of the Kingdom.
Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
C. With our own understanding we are unable to discover the full intent and purpose of God in a given situation where He wants to enlarge the Kingdom.
Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.”
1. By the power that works in us we are brought to understanding concerning the will of God.
2. Because it’s His power in us, we cannot boast but only give praise.
3. The events around us are controlled by the power that is within us.

IV. The Lord will bring us to a power encounter.
A. David knew where the power came from.
I Samuel 22:29-35 “For You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD shall enlighten my darkness. 30 For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall. 31 as for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 32 “For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 33  God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. 35 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”
B. Samuel responded to the voice of God and it produced a power encounter in his life.
I Samuel 3:10 “Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
1. God called him three times before Samuel knew how to respond.
2. Don’t allow the devil to tell you that you have wasted too much time to be of service.
3. Forget about the missed opportunities and focus on the one that is before you now.
C. As we acknowledge the power of the Lord drawing us, let us respond as Samuel did.
D. A power encounter with the Lord will lead us into a life of adventure.
E. Say yes today.